United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday (December 15, 2025) reaffirmed that there is no uncertainty over the upcoming national election as it will be held in free, fair and competitive manners on time. “InshaAllah, rest assured-- we will rightly see a fair, nice and competitive election at the right time,” he said while inaugurating a Youth Voter Festival in the city’s Gulshan area. Referring to the recent attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho and an independent aspirant from Dhaka-8 constituency, the CEC described the incident as a stray incident. Nasir Uddin said the Election Commission remains firmly committed to fulfilling the promise it has made to the nation. “With everyone’s participation, InshaAllah, we will present a beautiful election,” he said. Read more: Environment congenial for February, 2026 election: Salehuddin Replying to a question, the CEC said there is no uncertainty over the election and the Election Commission is fully prepared to move ahead with the election process. “There is no uncertainty about the election. We are fully prepared to move ahead. The election will be held inshaAllah…the election will be held with everyone’s participation and cooperation. Whatever concerns come to your mind, cast them aside,” he added. Nasir Uddin asked all to prepare for the election so that the Commission can hold a fair election with everyone’s support. In reply to another question if the law and order situation is a barrier on the way to deliver a fair election, he said the overall situation has improved significantly compared to the condition seen in the next week after August 05, 2024. CEC Nasir urges voters to vote fearlessly “Where has the law-and-order situation deteriorated? Only occasional criminal incidents occur,” the CEC questioned, adding, the incident involving Hadi is something we think isolated. Such incidents were always seen in the past. There were the killings of former minister ASM Kibria and former MP Ahsanullah Master.” He said the law and order situation has improved considerably compared to the situation in a week after August 5 2024, when police stations were inactive. “Now we can move freely on the streets and sleep peacefully. So, there has been no deterioration in law and order.” The CEC said the Election Commission held a meeting with law enforcement agencies on Sunday and issued necessary directives. The law enforcement agencies informed the Commission that they are fully prepared to maintain peace and order throughout the election period. Read more: Bangladesh Polls: Permission must for social, religious events before electioneering  Emphasising the role of young voters, Nasir Uddin urged them not only to cast their own votes but also to motivate others to participate in the election. “The youth is the symbol of courage and creativity. It is not possible to build the country without you. The upcoming election will be fair, beautiful and transparent, and it will be held with the youths. Bangladesh needs to move forward by relying on the youths. We hope that the next election we hold will be a free, fair and credible election,” the CEC described. described the coming election as historic, highlighting its several unique and important features. “For the first time in 54 years, expatriate Bangladeshis have been brought under the voting process through postal ballots.”The CEC also said arrangements have been made for nearly one million officials and employees involved in the election process, including members of the law enforcement agencies, to cast their votes—many of whom were previously unable to do so. Election schedule to be declared in second week of Dec: CEC Nasir Besides, the Commission has taken initiative to bring the persons under lawful custody (prisoners) and the government employees posted outside their respective constituencies under the postal balloting system in this election. “In addition, a referendum will be held alongside the national election. Considering all these aspects, this election is undoubtedly historic.” Calling the Commission’s initiatives bold and strong, Nasir Uddin said the active participation of young voters would be crucial to the success of the process. “If you stand with us in this courageous step, InshaAllah, we will be successful in delivering a free, fair and credible election. With your participation in this bold step of ours, InshaAllah we will be successful in delivering free, fair and credible elections,” the CEC said. Read more: Dialogue urges parties to prioritise rights of women and children in election manifestos

Metro rail services will be suspended for 40 minutes on Tuesday to ensure the safety of paratroopers during Victory Day celebrations. Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) announced on Monday that the suspension will be from 11:50 am to 12:30 pm. Cloth on power line halts Dhaka metro rail service for 15 minutes A para jump is scheduled at Tejgaon Puratan Airport to mark Victory Day, prompting the temporary halt in metro services for the safety of the paratroopers, according to DMTCL. Authorities apologised to commuters for the inconvenience and assured that the services will resume as scheduled.

An air ambulance, equipped with all emergency facilities for a critical patient, has landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to take bullet-hit Dhaka-8 aspiring independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi to Singapore for advance treatment. The ambulance landed today (December 15, 2025) at 11:22am, the airport authorities said. They said if all goes as planned, the air ambulance operated by Aspro Aviation, will depart for Singapore at noon with Hadi on board. The decision to send Hadi abroad for treatment was taken on Sunday (December 14, 2025). Read more: RAB arrests three more in Hadi shooting case The press wing of the Chief Adviser’s office said that necessary preparations, including the medical air ambulance, a team of doctors, and travel arrangements, had been completed. Arrangements for his treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Singapore General Hospital have also been made. It was also stated that the government will bear all medical expenses for Hadi’s treatment. The Chief Adviser has instructed authorities concerned to monitor his treatment process around the clock, seeking prayers from the nation for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Over the past two days, the government contacted several hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia to arrange for Hadi’s advanced treatment. According to Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on health matters, Hadi’s current condition remains stable and unchanged. Read more: Hadi to be flown to Singapore on Monday: CA’s Press Wing Hadi, spokesman of the Inquilab Mancho, was attacked on Friday in Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of Dhaka while traveling in a rickshaw. The assailants on a motorcycle shot at his head with intent to kill and fled. He is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

Members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested three more people, including the wife and brother-in-law of suspected shooter Faisal Karim Masud, alias Daud Khan, in connection with the gun attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. The arrestees are Faisal’s wife Begum Samia, his brother-in-law Shipu and Begum Maria. RAB also recovered several bank cheques signed by Faisal Karim Masud and seized electronic devices from the arrestees. With the latest arrests, the total number of detainees in the case has risen to six. Hadi to be flown to Singapore on Monday: CA’s Press Wing RAB Legal and Media Wing Deputy Director Major Lutful Haider said the arrests were made on December 14 based on secret information. The arrestees were later handed over to the police. Earlier, on Sunday, RAB identified the motorcycle used in the attack and detained its registered owner from the Mohammadpur area of the capital. He was later produced before a court, which granted a three-day remand. Independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, was critically injured in a gun attack at Purana Paltan Culvert Road on Friday afternoon while travelling by a rickshaw after Jum’a prayers.’

Extending additional funding for the Rohingyas, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen has said the situation of vulnerable groups - the Rohingyas - has become increasingly difficult at a time when global humanitarian resources are shrinking and some countries are significantly reducing their commitments. "China, as Bangladesh’s steadfast development partner and true friend, has continued to expand its support,” said Ambassador Yao. He said China will work closely with UNHCR and the government of Bangladesh to ensure the effective implementation of this project so that the displaced people from Rakhine State in Bangladesh can benefit at the earliest possible. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, on Sunday, welcomed China’s USD 2.5 million contribution to provide liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to meet the cooking needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The contribution from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund will enable UNHCR to supply cleaner cooking energy to approximately 458,000 refugees, or 94,000 households, until October 2026 — offering vital relief and protection in one of the world’s most densely populated refugee settings.  “This generous support from China comes at a crucial time, as resources shrink globally and many life-saving programmes risk being scaled back,” said Ivo Frejsen, UNHCR Representative in Bangladesh.  “We are deeply grateful for China’s solidarity. Their contribution does much more than provide cooking gas - it helps restore dignity, ensures safety, and reaffirms that refugees are not forgotten," Frejsen  said. Eight years into the Rohingya refugee crisis, Bangladesh continues to host 1.3 million Rohingya refugees, who remain dependent on humanitarian assistance to meet their daily needs.  The Chinese funding will secure refugees’ continued access to LPG—reducing dependence on firewood, improving safety, health, and nutrition, and protecting the forests around the camps, said the UNHCR.  “Rohingya refugees regularly tell me how essential LPG is to their daily lives,” said Ivo Freijsen.  “Since its introduction in 2018, they no longer have to venture out to collect firewood—avoiding significant risks. Women and girls face fewer protection challenges, and children can spend more time in schools. The use of LPG is also key in halting environmental degradation, regreening camps, and surrounding areas.” UNHCR continues to work closely with the government of Bangladesh and all partners committed to enhancing the well-being of Rohingya refugees.  Sustained international solidarity is essential for both refugees and hosting communities, said the UN Refugee Agency.  The LPG initiative shows the tangible impact of such support on families who fled conflict and persecution, and the generous assistance of countries, including China, remains vital to bolstering Bangladesh’s humanitarian response to the Rohingya refugee situation.  

The Election Commission (EC) has allowed the celebration of the national and international days and arrangements of social and religious events during pre-campaign period with prior permission or consent from the returning officers concerned. The directive was issued through a circular released on Sunday night (December 14, 2025) to ensure the maintenance of a conducive electoral atmosphere during the pre-election period. The circular mentions that the schedule for the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum was announced on December 11, 2025, and the polls will be held on February 12, 2026. According to the Section 18 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rule, 2025, the electioneering can be conducted from three weeks before the polling day until 48 hours prior to the start of voting, subject to compliance with the prescribed conditions. Read more: UN briefs Bangladesh’s political parties on election commission support “Outside the stipulated campaign period, national and international days can be observed as well as religious, social and similar events can be organised without hampering the electoral environment and in compliance with the code of conduct. However, prior consent or permission from the returning officer concerned must be obtained,” says the circular signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10), according to the schedule announced by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. This circular was sent to all the 69 returning officers – Dhaka and Chattogram divisional commissioners, Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna Regional Election Officers and 64 district deputy commissioners. As per the schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. Read more: Bangladesh national election, referendum on Feb 12; schedule announced The last date for submission of appeal against the decisions of the returning officers is January 11 and the appeals would be disposed of on January 12-18. The returning officers will publish the final lists of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21. The balloting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm without any break on February 12.

A youth was shot dead by miscreants near the east side of the Rupsa Bridge in Chourasta area of Japusa in Rupsa upazila of Khulna district on Sunday night. The deceased was identified as Sagar Sheikh, 30, son of Foyek Sheikh and a resident of Green Bangla Residential Area. He had run a cloth shop. According to Rupsa police, local resident Abdur Rahman, hearing gunshots around 11pm, called the national emergency service 999 to report the incident. The police were subsequently informed and rushed to the scene. Sub inspector Saurav Das of Rupsa Police Station said he was on duty in the Japusa area and reached the spot after receiving the information. Preliminary investigation suggest that Sagar had recently purchased land and built a new house in the area, which might have led to the killing, he suspected, saying that the motive and identity of the attackers are yet to be determined. Officer-in-charge of the police station Abdur Razzak Mir said efforts were underway to detain those involved in the murder.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar on Sunday said scientific sea bass (coral) fish farming is creating new opportunities for strengthening Bangladesh’s food security and fish supply system. “I am very pleased to see that the entire process—from brood fish to egg production—is being conducted in a highly scientific manner. Its role as a hatchery is extremely important,” she said. The adviser made the remarks after visiting a modern greenhouse-based mariculture hatchery in Kalatoli, Cox’s Bazar, said a handout. She said the most encouraging aspect of the initiative is that such fish farming is not confined to coastal areas like Cox’s Bazar, but can also be implemented in regions such as North Bengal. As a result, fish production will increase across different parts of the country, further strengthening the national food supply system. Farida Akhtar said the government would support the expansion of mariculture (marine fish farming) in various ways, but stressed that private sector initiatives would be the main driving force behind its growth. “The greater the involvement of private entrepreneurs, the more technology development, employment generation and scientific fish production will be ensured,” she said. She added that such modern and sustainable initiatives would make a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s blue economy in the future, helping to build a strong foundation for the country’s economy and food security. Officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the Department of Fisheries and other relevant agencies were present on the occasion.

Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader of the July Uprising, a spokesperson for the Inqilab Moncho and an independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, will be flown to Singapore by air ambulance on Monday afternoon (December 15, 2025) for advanced medical treatment. Over the past two days, the government has contacted several hospitals in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia regarding Hadi’s treatment, said the CA's Press Wing on Sunday (December 14, 2025). On the instructions of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, the decision was taken in an emergency conference call involving Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Health Ministry Affairs, Evercare Hospital specialist Dr Zafar and Hadi’s brother Omar Bin Hadi, the Press Wing said. It said all necessary arrangements, including the medical air ambulance, medical team and travel-related preparations, have already been completed. Read more: What we know about at least one of Hadi's would-be assassins Arrangements have also been made for his treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of Singapore General Hospital. Special Assistant Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman informed the Chief Adviser that Hadi’s physical condition has remained unchanged. The Press Wing said all expenses related to Hadi’s treatment will be borne by the state, while the Chief Adviser has instructed the authorities concerned to keep his health condition under constant observations. The Chief Adviser has also sought prayers from people for Hadi’s speedy recovery. Read more: NBR freezes bank accounts of Hadi’s suspected attacker Masud and his firm Osman Hadi was shot and injured by assailants in the capital’s Bijoynagar area at noon on Friday, triggering widespread concerns and condemnation.

In his farewell address as Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Syed Refaat Ahmed on Sunday said no legal provision in the world can ensure collective freedom if society is driven by the desire for unearned wealth, unjust luxury and the prestige of undue power, stressing that moral integrity must accompany the rule of law. “There is no point in establishing a separate secretariat for the judiciary unless we, the judges, are careful about personal dishonesty,” he said. The Chief Justice made the remarks while delivering his farewell address at the Supreme Court Auditorium on Sunday noon, ahead of his retirement as the country’s 25th Chief Justice on December 27. Addressing fellow judges, Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed urged them to regard the pursuit of knowledge and the habit of reading as the highest duty of their lives. He encouraged continuous study, research and the development of judicial experience. “Let the primary foundation of all our efforts be not merely the execution of work, but the pursuit of excellence in that work,” he said. The Chief Justice also called on judges to go beyond traditional legal learning and expand their understanding of society, culture, anthropology, history, economics and political thought. At the same time, he urged them to explore modern fields such as artificial intelligence, environmental science and cybersecurity. “As judges, we can never be certain which everyday occurrences in people’s lives may give rise to disputes and when unprecedented questions will be brought before the courts, testing our judgment and discernment,” he added. Referring to the historic establishment of the Supreme Court Secretariat, the Chief Justice said judicial independence and a separate secretariat must be firmly established as the primary guardians of the constitutional rights of the people. He emphasised that strict action must be taken against corrupt and dishonest judges and said members of the judiciary should no longer point fingers at others for injustices committed within the system. “We must fulfil our responsibilities fully to ensure speedy justice for the people. Political influence must be avoided in the pursuit of preferred outcomes,” he said. Judges of the Appellate Division, Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, senior advocate Zainul Abedin, Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, district and sessions judges, metropolitan sessions judges, chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates, among others, were present on the occasion.